Does my employer have to pay me while I'm on jury duty?

QUESTION:

I recently got called to sit on a jury. My employer isn't paying me for any of this time; I have to take unpaid leave. Is this illegal? Would I have a good case if I sued my employer?

ANSWER:

Even after sitting in a courtroom and seeing all the silliness firsthand, you want to file a lawsuit? You are a hardy soul.

Although almost every state protects employees from being fired or otherwise disciplined for jury service, only a handful of states require employers to pay employees for time they spend serving on a jury. /p>